Israel has conducted several attacks against Iran, including military sites, claiming they are part of the country's nuclear program, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The IDF stated that the operation, named "Rising Lion," was initiated following intelligence reports indicating that Iran has made significant progress towards developing nuclear weapons, asserting that this capability would enable Iran to attack Israel.
Israel estimates that Iran currently possesses enough enriched material to produce several nuclear bombs, according to the IDF and an Israeli official familiar with the operation who spoke to ABC News.
Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, described these attacks as preemptive measures to prevent future assaults and has declared a state of emergency.
"Following Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, missile and drone attacks against Israel and its citizens are expected in the near future," Katz stated in a report.
Shortly after this announcement, an air raid siren was heard in Tel Aviv.
A spokesperson for the Iranian military stated that the United States and Israel will pay a "heavy price" for these attacks, according to Reuters.
"The military forces will certainly respond to this Zionist attack," said the Iranian spokesperson, Abolfazl Shekarchi.